In 1971 congress passed and President Nixon signed the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. This in essence began the wild mustang adoption program. The BLM or Bureau of Land Management officially became the owners of wild free-roaming horses and burros that were not claimed by livestock operators after a specified period of time. In order to keep lands from overpopulating the BLM periodically captures wild mustangs.  They brand, de-worm, and given proper vaccinations to all the horses. Then the wild mustang adoption program makes available these horses for approximately $125 each to any adoptee that can provide a proper home and care for them.

To adopt a horse from the wild mustang adoption program you can to go to the BLM website www.blm.gov. You need download the proper form and mail it to your local BLM office or fill out and submit the online form. You need to meet four criteria to be able to adopt a horse from the wild mustang adoption program: 1) Be at least 18 years of age or have a guardian that will adopt for a younger family member who will care for the horse; 2) Have no prior convictions of inhumane treatment of animals or any violations of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act; 3) Demonstrate you have the facilities to care for the horse - adequate feed, water, fencing; 4) Show you can provide a home for the horse in the United States.

Once you submit your application for the wild mustang adoption program and are waiting to hear back from a BLM employee, you can prepare your facilities to meet the BLM specifications. The enclosure must be 400 square feet minimum 20′x20′ and have a shelter that will protect the horse during inclement weather. You must have an adequate amount of good quality grass hay as feed for your horse. Once your application for the wild mustang adoption program is reviewed a BLM employee will contact you to verify that your facilities meet the minimum requirements for the horse you want to adopt.

If you meet the qualifications of the wild mustang adoption program as verified by the BLM inspector you can begin the process of looking for a mustang to adopt.  You can make an onsite visit at one of the BLM’s adoption sites or you can look online at the BLM website www.blm.gov. You can call 1-866-4MUSTANGS toll free to get information about adoption dates and locations near you. On the day of the wild mustang adoption program make sure you arrive early and bring the following: 1) A double-stitched nylon webbed halter; 2) A lead rope 12 feet long; 3) A horse trailer; 4) Adoption fees in the form of cash, personal check, money order, traveler’s check, or a credit card.

If you acquire a horse thru the wild mustang adoption program you must care for it successfully for one year before BLM issues you a Certificate of Title. Before the one year anniversary the horse legally belongs to the Federal Government. In order to ensure you will make the one year anniversary of the wild mustang adoption program it is important that you have the assistance of a good veterinarian, a knowledgeable mustang trainer, and most importantly the love and patience to provide to an untamed horse.